Figure 9. Treatment Facilities per Province/HUC

Figure 9. Treatment Facilities per Province/HUC

Presently, there are 37 COVID-19 treatment facilities in the region where 21 (57%) facilities are government-owned and the other 16 (43%) are private facilities. Fifteen facilities are classified as Level I, three (3) as Level II and three (3) as Level III for government facilities. For private facilities, 10 were classified as Level II, and six (6) as Level III. In Western Visayas, WVMC has been identified as the main treatment center for COVID19 patients. Out of 744 beds in identified treatment facilities, only 21 percent was occupied indicating that most COVID-related cases are mild. There are 84 mechanical ventilators for exclusive use of COVID-19 patients, 60 percent of which are available in private hospitals. As of date, these facilities were not fully utilized since most probable, Source: DOH Western Visayas Center for Health Development suspected, and asymptomatic cases are placed under home quarantine. However, the expected influx of LSIs and ROFs from areas with high COVID-cases like Metro Manila and Cebu in the next few months, may strain further the limited resources of the region, particularly for testing and quarantine. Also, with the onset of rainy months starting in July, the region will again be challenged by rising cases of dengue. In 2019, the DOH declared a dengue outbreak in Region VI, having the highest number of cases in the entire country. Increased volume of infectious waste and solid waste materials. It is expected that there will be increase in volume of infectious waste materials such as disposable masks from households and health care facilities due to the rising number of COVID-19 patients. Also, solid wastes from packaging materials of establishments will increase due to surge of delivery of food and other essential products/supplies. These require strict implementation of infection prevention and control (See more discussion in thematic area on environment).

Lack of facilities for proper management of remains of persons with COVID or similar

symptoms. There are many funeral parlors, but few crematoriums in Western Visayas. In Iloilo City there is only one crematorium, which is privately-owned and managed while Bacolod City has three private crematoriums. As a rule, remains of persons who have manifested similar symptoms, with or without confirmatory results, have to be cremated.

In compliance with the national government’s standards in the management of the dead on COVID-19, public and private health facilities, in coordination with the LGUs and the relatives of the deceased will facilitate the cremation of the body of COVID-19 patients within 12 hours after death. Health facilities/centers will ensure that the bodies would be properly stored in a morgue, inside a freezer, while awaiting cremation, to prevent untimely decomposition and the spread of pathogens.

Poor implementation of health protocols and referral system. The current service delivery is passive and fragmented which burdens health workers with multiple tasks, and focuses services and resources on curative health care rather than on the preventive aspect. This resulted to poor implementation of health referral protocols as well as weak public-private partnership to complement the inadequacies of the health system in responding to the health crisis.

Poor information dissemination. Information dissemination to LGUs and vulnerable groups like IPs and in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) was poor due to connectivity problems and inefficient communication system. This affected the credibility, transparency and efficiency of the delivery of health services, especially on how government responses to the pandemic were implemented.

Inadequate mental health and psychosocial support service (MHPSS) providers. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a situation where one has no longer a sense of control resulting to increased anxiety among the population. People fear of infection, loss of employment, and the lack or limited financial capacity in providing essential needs such as food and medicines. Quarantine protocols will be more challenging for some segments of populations such as adolescents, elderly, immune-compromised, pregnant women, children and those with existing health problems. Psychosocial stressors and social stigma could affect the mental and psychosocial well-being of individuals, families and communities. It is thus essential that psychosocial health support is in place to protect the mental health and psychosocial well-being of individuals especially those COVID-19 positive cases. The DOH WVCHD has trained 89 personnel to provide MHPSS to various provinces and cities. Moreover, there are 387 Municipal Health Officers, nurses and other health care workers trained in Mental Health Gap Action Program (mhGAP) who can provide basic mental health care services. With rising cases of COVID-19, more trained mental health and psychosocial support service personnel are needed to address mental health problems. Moreover, mental health services should be accessible to the population.

High cost of hospitalization for COVID-19 patients. Hospital expenses of COVID-19positive indigent patients will be partially covered by Philhealth Insurance. Those who are not indigents can avail of case-to-case scheme. The package for mild pneumonia in the elderly or those with co-morbidities amounts to PhP43,997; moderate pneumonia, PhP143,267; severe pneumonia, PhP333,519; and critical pneumonia, PhP786,384. Case rate covers mandatory services, such as hospital accommodation, laboratory, supplies, equipment, and professional fee, among others, both for public and private hospitals.